The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-01-22

recent strikes and industrial disturbances, I'm
C uding the eighthour Increment in Wisconsin,
and larg amount of valuable Information on
labor subjects generally, together with statistical
information relating TO the trade. and TO manu-
iacturipg
NEW ORLEANS ENPosITioS.
The commissioner appointed 10 represent The
state o. Wisconsin al the New Orleans Exposition
In 1851 has made his final report and out OF the
appropriation made by the Legislature to deiray
the expenses of The Wisconsin exhibit he hiss re-
turned TO the treasury the sum of s-,0i3.75. The
law making this appropriation made no provision
for any CONDENSATION for the commissiores. pro-
vyiding for expenses only. and should
the Legislature shouts make the necessary pro-
vision therefor. The exhibit made by the state
was mot crediiable one, and although made
under adverse circumstances, the fact that Wis
oonsin secured the highest number of awards,
shows that Mr.. Holton performed his duties with
sagacitg and untiring efforts, and that he thor
oughly appreciated the important interests of
the state.
EDUCATION.
The high standing the state OF Wisconsin
now has in all branches Of industry is largely
due to the liberal spiIit and good Judgment With
which the people support the educational system
OF the state, The proportion of persons who can
not read or write is very small, and they reside
mostly in the large cities. The common schools
are eagerly sought, and the pert entage of attend
ance is equal 10 that OF any state in the Union.
, here WAS collected by the state, and dis
lTibuted 20 counties for educational purposes in
LAST amount, s4ss, 396l derived fTom the !
mil tax provided by the ast Legislature.
would call your attention 10 the valuable re-
port OF the superintendent of public instruction,
and the notifications o! the laws recommended
by him. lu the distribution of the moneys to
counties, the law, in one section, req Iires the
school districts to raise an amount equal 10 that
received from the stale, and in another section
they are, apparently, required TO raise but oHe-
half the amount apportioned before being emit
tied 10 receive the state money. These differ.
ences IN the law should be barmoni2ed.
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN.
The University OF Wisconsin, / believe has
MADE commendabie progress during the pas.
Two years. The attendance has increased and
for which the Legislature at its last
session made provision, has progressed in a
very substantial manner. I am pleased ID
note. in this connection the practical utility aud
importance of the technical instruction OF the
University, as shown by the large amount Of
work done upon the new buildings by the faCul-
These departments demonstrate the worth of
practical education in tie useful arts and are
being more highly apprecia Ell year by year.
1ne agricultural experiment station has proven
10 be OF great value TO the agricultural interests
OF the state, and our farmers are eagerly avail ing
themselves OF the useful aud practical informa-
ton disseminated through its bulletins. The
Agricultural Department adopted short course
Ill agriculture, to meet a need for such instruC-
ton, ana while there is no doubt of the value Of
this course, sufficient time has not elapsed e
demonstrate whether viii prove successful.
AGRICULTURE.
Agriculture IS beyond question, the leading
Industry of our state. with more capital invested
and more labor employed than all other inter
ests combined; and il deserves, and should re-
ceive, most generous consideration. PrOSperifv
in this industry brings prosperity to ali others
There have been various propositions presented
heretofore in the interest o. agriculture and i $
eo,ordinste branches During the session Of
1855, a bill was introduced pToyi ing Tor seps-
rate Agricultural College. At that tin the farm
ers OF the state were divided in opinion as to the
necessity for such an institution and the bill
failed TO receive the approval OF the Legis'at
The dairy interests of Wisconsin have grown
to such magnitude, and are of such vast import
lance to the prosperity Of the people, t1at ample
protection should be afforded them. The last
Legislature passed a law similar to that OF the
state Of New York, protecting the dairy interest
against the sale of imitation butter. The New
YORK law has been decided unconstitutional hy
the courts OF tuat state, and while no test of the
coDstitUtionalitv OF our law has been made in
the courts of Wisconsin, am of the opinion that
the law should be so changed as to afford the de-
sired protection and remove all doubts as to its
being in conflict with the constitution.
The Legislature of 1855 made provision for
holding farmers institutes, by yearly appropri-
alton of s.. .Ooo to defray expenses. There can be
no doubt that the institutes have been productive
OF good results and the increased interest taken
in them the past year is the best evidence OF the
appreciation in which they are held. Tie re-
suits OF the experience of the leading farmers and
dairymen are given at these institutes to those OF
our idlllcIS W no ATT suiUClSutIN interested III
their calling TO avail themselves OF them, and
The information gained by the discussions at
these meetings has proven OF great practical
benefit. would recommend an increase OF the
appropriation for this purpose.
The Office of state veterinarian, whose duty
should be 10 investigate infectious and conta-
gious diseases of domestic animals. created by
the last Legislature. Under this law appointed
'. t. Atkinson, V. g., of Milwaukee, and his la
bors have been almost wholly confined 10 the in
yestigation of glanders, which has existed among
the horses in many parts OF the state As the law
now stands ii is defective in several particulars
and should be so amended as to accomplish the
objects for which it is intended. The expenses
OF this officer and the amounts paid tbG ownt rs
for diseased horses slaughtered aggregated the
sum of Sc, ,037.72-
INSURANCE.
l am induced to believe that the insuranc
laws might be modified to some extent, so as to
be more beneficial 10 the business interests of the
state. The rate of insurance seems TO be increas-
ing throughout the state, while the insur-
ance companies claim that they are max
ing no profits upon their business As
the law now stands, in case of total loss,
the insurance company must pay the full
amount for which the property is insured, with
out regard to itsvalue. This law has created a
tendency 70 oyer-insurance, and this over-iusur-
ance has IN many cases, no doubt been the cause
of the destruction of the property by fire, either
by engenderipg feeling OF carelessncss or by
direct incendisrism. Could some law be 50
framed as to do away with this tendency, and az
the same time not relieve the insurance COM
panies from the over Jealous acts of their
agents in insuriDg property for more than
two thirds of its value, l believe il would vo a
reduction of the rates OF insurance and be
great value to the people. To secure proper care,
the oRnrr should have some inter- st IN the prop
erty that would not be made good to him in case
of loss. The owner should not be permitted to
recover more than two-thirds OF the value OF tn
property destroyed, and at the sane time |
believe the insurance companies should not De
relieved from paying all they contract to pay.
This end can be accomplished py enactiug a
law that Will fcreit 10 the state. TO
go to the school fund. as other forfeitures and
penalties, all that part of the sum contracted ior
in the policy OF insurance that Is above two
thirds OF the value of the property destroyed.
also deem u proper TO cal the attention OF
the Legislature TO the growing tendency of insur.
ance companies 10 combine in fixing the rate OF
insurance and the division OF business While
competition may regulate this and the insurance
companies may not fix unreasonable rates the
matter il one peculiarly for the consideration OF
the Legislature.
! would also urge upon you the wisdom OF
changing the law providing for the collection OF
penalties from insurance companies no, Irens d
by the state. The law, no doubt, should provide
for the prompt and effective enforcement OF sli
penalties and forfeturcs against companies seek
ing 10 avoid the payment OF their License ices
but The diyis on of the recoveries with the officer
deyoiyes the duty of enforcing these laws should
have adequate compensation for his services,
and all the expenses should be borne by the
state; but the othcer should perform, his
contingent interest depending upon the
activity or energy with which his duties are
performed. The Legislature have the undoubt-
ed right TO enact the law il stands to-day, and
the present law was approved because the sub
ieet is one upon which the policy should be de
termined by the Legislature.
RAILROADS
II is interesting to note the progress Of the rail-
roads in the state OF Wisconsin AT the close. Of
the year 1886 there were 10 miles of completed
road-from Milwaukee to Elm Grove. Al the
close of the year 1850 there were but S75 miles OF
railroad within our limits. During the time OF
the war o. the rebellion, ana the business depres
sion Immediately following, there was bat lit
tie of railway building done. In 1861 -
miles IL 1862, So miles, IN 1868, in 1884, II
miles; and during the years 1885, 1866 and 1867.
not q mile of track was laid in the state. After
the war was over, and the business of the country
had recovered from the consequent continued
depression and stagnation, railroad bulldog aud
railroad development began q forward march,
and have kept even and steady pace with the
other great industries of the state.
To-day the total number of miles OF railroad IN
the state is 1882. constructed ST cost OF Slei
9l3 5,2. OF. The average cost per mile WIS Si0,-
259 81, which includes equipments, buildings
and depot grounds. For the year ending June
30 1896, the earnings of the roads were S20,9i2,-
2sl 90. OF which amount si,9S0 0,S16.s9 was from
passengers, sk, 1859 53 from freight, and ST.
4G5, ,7o5. is from mails and express. The
labor to produce these earnings has re
CURED the services of from l6 600 to 5000
man. at an average yearly compensation OF
$500 each. The operating expenseAfor he period